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J Kamphuis

Publications and source records attributed to J Kamphuis.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Partial [alphaMe]Aun scan of [l-Leu11-OMe]-trichogin GA IV, a membrane active synthetic precursor of the natural lipopeptaibol.

We synthesized using solution-phase methods three analogs of [l-Leu11-OMe] trichogin GA IV, a membrane active synthetic precursor of the lipopeptaibol antibiotic in which the N-terminal n-octanoyl group and each of the three Aib residues in positions 1, 4 and 8 are replaced by an acetyl group and the lipophilic Calpha,alpha-disubstituted glycine l-(alphaMe)Aun, respectively [partial (alphaMe)Aun scan]. FT-IR absorption and CD analyses unequivocally show that the main three-dimensional structural features of [l-Leu11-OMe] trichogin GA IV are preserved in the analogs. Also, [l-Leu11-OMe] trichogin GA IV and the three Nalpha-acetylated l-(alphaMe)Aun analogs exhibit strictly comparable membrane-modifying properties. Taken together, these results strongly favor the conclusion that a shift of the long hydrocarbon moiety from the Nalpha-blocking group to the side-chain of the 1, 4 or 8 residue does not have any significant effect on the conformational properties or the membrane activity of [l-Leu11-OMe] trichogin GA IV and, by extension, of the natural lipopeptaibol.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

The first water-soluble 3(10)-helical peptides.

Two water-soluble 3(10)-helical peptides are synthesized and fully characterized for the first time. The sequence of these terminally blocked heptamers comprises two residues of the Calpha-trisubstituted alpha-amino acid 2-amino-3-[1-(1,4,7-triazacyclononyl)]propanoic acid and five residues of a Calpha-tetrasubstituted alpha-amino acid (either alpha-aminoisobutyric acid or isovaline). Using CD and NMR techniques we were able to show that both heptapeptides are well structured in water, and that the type of conformation adopted is indeed the ternary 3(10)-helix.

Journal Article↗

(alphaMe)Aun: a highly lipophilic, chiral, Calpha-tetrasubstituted alpha-amino acid. Incorporation into model peptides and preferred conformation.

Using a chemo-enzymatic approach we prepared the highly lipophilic, chiral, Calpha-methylated alpha-amino acid (alphaMe)Aun. Two series of terminally protected model peptides containing either D-(alphaMe)Aun in combination with Aib or L-(alphaMe)Aun in combination with Gly were synthesized using solution methods and fully characterized. A detailed solution conformational analysis, based on FT-IR absorption, 1H NMR and CD techniques, allowed us to determine the preferred conformation of this amino acid and the relationship between chirality at its alpha-carbon atom and screw sense of the helix that is formed. The results obtained strongly support the view that D-(alphaMe)Aun favors the formation of the left-handed 3(10)-helical conformation.

Amino Acids↗

Total synthesis and membrane modifying properties of the lipopeptaibol trikoningin KB II and its analogues with acyl chains of different length at the N- and C-termini.

Trikoningin KB II, a ten-amino acid residue lipopeptaibol blocked at the N-terminus by the n-octanoyl group and at the C-terminus by the 1,2-amino alcohol L-leucinol, and extracted from the fungus Trichoderma koningii, exhibits membrane-modifying properties. We have synthesized by solution-phase methods trikoningin KB II and several analogues with acyl chains of different length at the N- and C-termini. Permeability measurements showed that an appropriate length of the linear acyl chain is a more important characteristic for the onset of significant membrane-modifying activity than its position in the peptide chain.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Preferred solution conformation of peptides rich in the lipophilic, chiral, C(alpha)-methylated alpha-amino acid (alpha Me)Aoc.

The lipophilic, chiral, C(alpha)-methylated alpha-amino acid L-(alphaMe)Aoc (2-methyl-2-amino-octanoic acid) was prepared using a chemo-enzymatic approach. Two series of terminally protected model peptides, from dimer through to hexamer, containing L-(alphaMe)Aoc in combination with either Gly or Aib, were synthesized by solution methods and were fully characterized. A solution conformational analysis, based on FT-IR absorption, 1H-NMR and circular dichroism (CD) techniques, was performed with the aim at determining the preferred conformation of this novel amino acid and the relationship between chirality at its alpha-carbon atom and screw sense of the helix that is formed. The results obtained strongly support the view that L-(alphaMe)Aoc favours the formation of the right-handed 3(10)-helical conformation.

Amino Acids↗

Conformation and membrane activity of an analogue of the peptaibol antibiotic trichogin GA IV with a lipophilic amino acid at the N-terminus.

We have synthesized by solution-phase methods two analogues of the 11-residue lipopeptaibol antibiotic trichogin GA IV in which the N-terminal n-octanoyl group is replaced either by an N-acetylated 2-amino-2-methyl-L-undecanoic acid or by an N-acetylated alpha-aminoisobutyric acid. CD, FTIR absorption. and NMR analyses unequivocally show that the main structural features of trichogin GA IV are preserved in these analogues. Since only the peptide containing the lipophilic chain exhibits membrane-modifying properties, these results strongly support the view that moving the long acyl moiety from the Nalpha-blocking group to the side chain of the N-terminal extra-residue does not affect the conformational properties or the membrane activity of trichogin GA IV.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Structural versatility of peptides from C alpha, alpha-disubstituted glycines: crystal-state conformational analysis of peptides from C alpha-methylhomophenylalanine, (alpha Me) Hph.

The molecular and crystal structures of the C alpha-tetrasubstituted, delta-branched alpha-amino acid C alpha-methylhomophenylalanine, H-D-(alpha Me)Hph-OH, and three peptides (to the pentamer level), including the homotripeptide, have been determined by X-ray diffraction. The peptides are Z-L-(alpha Me)Hph-(L-Ala)2-OMe pBrBz-[D-(alpha Me)Hph]3-OtBu and Ac-(Aib)2-L-(alpha Me)Hph-(Aib)2-OtBu. All the (alpha Me)Hph residues prefer phi, psi torsion angles in the helical region of the conformational map. The two terminally blocked tripeptides adopt a beta-bend conformation stabilized by a 1<--4 C = O... H-N intramolecular H-bond. The terminally blocked pentapeptide is folded in a regular 3(10)-helix. In general, the relationship between (alpha Me)Hph alpha-carbon chirality and helix handedness is the same as that exhibited by protein amino acids. A comparison is also made with the conclusions extracted from published work on peptides from other types of C alpha-alkylated aromatic alpha-amino acids.

Aminobutyrates↗

The preferred solid-state conformation of (alpha Me)Trp peptides.

The two Z-L-Ala-DL-(alpha Me)Trp-NH2 diastereomeric dipeptides were synthesized from (Z-L-Ala)2(O) and H-DL-(alpha Me)Trp-NH2. The latter racemate, prepared by phase-transfer catalyzed alkylation of the N alpha-benzylidene derivative of alanine amide followed by acidic hydrolysis of the resulting Schiff base, was characterized by X-ray diffraction. The molecular and crystal structure of Z-L-Ala-L-(alpha Me)Trp-NH2, separated from its diastereomer by silica-gel column chromatography, was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. Both independent molecules in the asymmetric unit of the dipeptide adopt a type-II beta-bend conformation. However, only the more regularly folded conformation of molecule B is stabilized by a 1<--4 C = O...H--N intramolecular H bond. The present results indicate that: (i) the C alpha-methylated (alpha Me)Trp residue is a strong beta-bend and helix former, and (ii) the relationship between (alpha Me)Trp chirality and helix screw sense tends to be opposite to that of protein amino acids. The implications for the use of the (alpha Me)Trp residue in designing conformationally restricted analogs of bioactive peptides are briefly discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Pseudomonas fluorescens lipase adsorption and the kinetics of hydrolysis in a dynamic emulsion system.

To elucidate the adsorption characteristics of lipases and to study the influence of the reaction conditions on the catalytic properties of lipases, the hydrolysis of decylchloroacetate by Pseudomonas fluorescens lipase in an emulsion reactor was studied as a model system. During the reaction the droplet size distribution of the emulsion was measured on-line using a particle sizer based on light scattering. Desorption experiments revealed that, at low surface coverage, the initial rate of reaction was not influenced by either the stirring speed or the organic volume fraction. Dilution of the reaction mixture during hydrolysis did not result in a decrease in activity. Based on these results, it is assumed that under the specified conditions adsorption of Pseudomonas fluorescens lipase is quantitative and probably irreversible. Based on activity measurements and assuming that only a monolayer of lipase is active, it is calculated that at saturation the emulsion interface is covered with 3 mg lipase per m2. From these data the average interfacial area covered by one lipase molecule at saturation was calculated to be 1700-2100 A2 per molecule. The emulsion was shown to be dynamic, e.g., during hydrolysis a significant increase in interfacial area was observed as a result of a shift in droplet size distribution to smaller diameters. Experiments indicated that both the formation of decanol and the emulgating effect of the lipase account for these observations. The formation of decanol also resulted in a dramatic decrease in hydrolytic activity. Taking interfacial tension measurements into account, it is shown that decanol accumulates at the liquid-liquid interface.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adsorption↗

The potential of lyases for the industrial production of optically active compounds.

Lyases catalyse the cleavage of C-C, C-N, C-O and other bonds by elimination to produce double bonds or, conversely, catalyse the addition of groups to double bonds. These enzymes do not require cofactor recycling, show an absolute stereospecificity and can give a theoretical yield of 100%, compared with only 50% for enantiomeric resolutions. Lyases are therefore attracting considerable interest as biocatalysts for the production of optically active compounds, and have already found application in several large commercial processes.

Catalysis↗

Vascular effects of pentoxifylline in humans.

In this study, we investigated the vasoactive effects of the alkylxanthine pentoxifylline and its interaction with the nucleoside adenosine in the forearm skeletal muscle vascular bed of 18 normotensive healthy volunteers. Pentoxifylline infusion into the brachial artery in dosages of 100, 300, and 1,000 micrograms/100 ml forearm volume (FAV)/min, induced increments of forearm blood flow (FBF) of 41 +/- 6, 125 +/- 22, and 295 +/- 57%, respectively (n = 12). Calculated forearm vascular resistance (FVR) showed a dose-dependent decrease during pentoxifylline infusion. Concomitant administration of caffeine (100 micrograms/100 ml/min), an adenosine antagonist, did not attenuate the vasodilator response to pentoxifylline (n = 6). Intraarterial (i.a.) infusion of adenosine alone (0.75, 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5 micrograms/100 ml/min) induced a dose-dependent forearm vasodilator response. Concomitant infusion of pentoxifylline (100 micrograms/100 ml/min) did not cause a convincing potentiation of the forearm vasodilator effect of adenosine. This study demonstrates that pentoxifylline induces vasodilation in human forearm skeletal muscle vascular bed of healthy young volunteers. This vasodilator response occurred at concentrations that are probably much higher than those achieved with oral treatment with pentoxifylline. Our data further suggest that pentoxifylline-induced vasodilation is not mediated by adenosine receptor stimulation, but may result from inhibition of the enzyme phosphodiesterase (PDE).

Adenosine↗

Structures of peptides from alpha-amino acids methylated at the alpha-carbon.

The structural preferences of peptides (and depsipeptides) from the achiral MeAib and Hib residues, and the chiral Iva, (alpha Me) Val, (alpha Me) Leu, and (alpha Me) Phe residues, as determined by conformational energy computations, x-ray diffraction analyses, and 1H-nmr and spectroscopic studies, are reviewed and compared with literature data on Aib-containing peptides. The results obtained indicate that helical structures are preferentially adopted by peptides rich in these alpha-amino acids methylated at the alpha-carbon. Intriguing experimental findings on the impact of the chirality of Iva, (alpha Me) Val, and (alpha Me) Phe residues on helix screw sense are illustrated.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Reverse relationship between alpha-carbon chirality and helix handedness in (alpha Me)Phe peptides.

The crystal-state preferred conformations of two tripeptides, one tetrapeptide, and one pentapeptide, each containing a single residue of the chiral, C alpha, alpha-disubstituted glycine C alpha-methyl, C alpha-benzylglycine [(alpha Me)Phe], have been determined by X-ray diffraction. The tripeptides are Z-L-(alpha Me)Phe-(Aib)2-OH dihydrate and Z-Aib-D-(alpha Me)Phe-Aib-OtBu, the tetrapeptide is Z-(Aib)2-D-(alpha Me)Phe-Aib-OtBu, and the pentapeptide is pBrBz-(Aib)2-DL-(alpha Me)Phe-(Aib)2-OtBu. While the two tripeptides are folded in a beta-bend conformation, two such conformations are consecutively formed by the tetrapeptide. The pentapeptide adopts a regular 3(10)-helix promoted by three consecutive beta-bends. This study confirms the strong propensity of short peptides containing C alpha-methylated alpha-aminoacids to fold into beta-bends and 3(10)-helical structures. Since Aib is achiral, the handedness of the observed bends and helices is dictated by the presence of the (alpha Me)Phe residue. In general, we have found that the relationship between (alpha Me)Phe chirality and helix handedness is opposite to that exhibited by protein aminoacids. A comparison with the preferred conformation of other extensively investigated C alpha-methylated aminoacids is made.

Models, Molecular↗

Purification and Characterization of an l-Aminopeptidase from Pseudomonas putida ATCC 12633.

An l-aminopeptidase of Pseudomonas putida, used in an industrial process for the hydrolysis of d,l-amino acid amide racemates, was purified to homogeneity. The highly l-enantioselective enzyme resembled thiol reagent-sensitive alkaline serine proteinases and was strongly activated by divalent cations. It possessed a high substrate specificity for dipeptides and alpha-H amino acid amides, e.g., l-phenylglycine amide.

Journal Article↗

Response to innovation: behavioral patterns.

An innovation model describes behavior patterns and the specific responses these groups display when introduced to change. These six categories, which are not inclusive, extend along a continuum ranging from eager participation to outright rejection of change. Using this knowledge, the nurse manager can team up with certain group types to smoothly implement innovation into the system.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

New developments in the synthesis of natural and unnatural amino acids.

Amino acids play an important role in biochemistry and chemistry. They are the building blocks of proteins and play an essential role in the regulation of the metabolism of living organisms. In general, it can be stated that microbial processes (fermentation) are the industrial production methods of choice for large-scale production of naturally occurring proteinogenic L-alpha-H-amino acids, while for the production of synthetic D- and/or L-alpha-H-amino acids, several other methods are highly competitive. At DSM, several routes, i.e., (chemoenzymatic) synthesis, towards L-alpha-H and D-alpha-H-amino acids have been elaborated since the midseventies. A general process for the synthesis of natural as well as synthetic optically pure amino acids has been developed, using an enzymatic kinetic resolution step on racemic amino acid amides as the key step. In this case, both enantiomers of the alpha-H-amino acids are prepared in one single step. This process has been commercialized since 1988. More recent developments using L- or D-amino peptidases in combination with amino acid amide racemases and an asymmetric transformation concept are discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Determination of biocatalyst consumption in an aminopeptidase process using automated sample preparation and high-performance liquid chromatography.

A rapid and sensitive method has been developed for the determination of the biocatalyst consumption in the chemo-enzymic production of optically pure natural and synthetic alpha-H-amino acids. It is based on automated sample preparation from an enzymic reaction mixture, reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic separation, post-column reaction and fluorimetric detection. The assay procedure has been applied to the enzymic conversion of racemic norvaline amide into L-norvaline, catalysed by an L-specific aminopeptidase from Pseudomonas putida. Both norvaline amide and norvaline can be analysed in a single assay in the low nanogram range. The method yields reproducible results and requires 30 min from the time of sampling the enzymic reaction mixture to quantitation. The reaction mixture is automatically sampled and analysed several times during the course of the reaction. With the results obtained a conversion curve can be constructed from which the exact biocatalyst consumption can be calculated. By adaptation of the mobile phase, the method can also be applied to other amino acid amides used as substrates in the aminopeptidase reaction.

Aminopeptidases↗